Injecting Intervals into Chords
From “Suspended and Add Chords¨ in Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers
The interval of a 4th, i.e. as seen in 20241013130635-Interval_of_a_4th, and the interval of a 2nd, i.e. as seen in 20241013150107-Interval_of_a_2nd, can be used to modify major triads and minor triads (see 20240924121346-What_Chords_Are & 20240928130915-Two_Thirds_in_Triads).
With either interval and either chord quality (refer to 20240901171406-Musical_Intervals), the chord triad is made an add chord if the interval is simply inserted into, or made part of, the triad. For example:
From “Suspended and Add Chords¨ in Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers
If we take a C major triad (C-E-G), and put a 2nd in it (C-D-E-G) we have made a Cadd2 chord.
On the other hand, a suspended chord triad requires the interval to do a substitution of a third (refer to Scale Degrees and Triadic Chord Construction) in a given chord triad. To continue under the previous case:
From “Suspended and Add Chords¨ in Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers
[…] if we instead substitute the 3rd with a 2nd, making the notes (C-DG), we have what we call a “suspended¨ chord.
Thus, in sum:
- A suspended chord is a minor or major triad whose third was substituted by a given interval, especially an interval of a 4th or 2nd
- An add chord is a minor or major triad for which an interval, especially of a 4th or 2nd, has been inserted into the triad
music_theory intervals chords major_triad major_chord minor_triad minor_chord suspended_chord add_chord interval_quality chord_quality triad
bibliography
- “Suspended and Add Chords.” In Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers: The Producer’s Guide to Harmony, Chord Progressions, and Song Structure in the MIDI Grid., 1st ed., 97. Minneapolis, MN: Slam Academy, 2018.